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Post Doctoral Fellowship, CAL2 System, Gemini North Observatory, Performing Frontier Exoplanet Science
Job Summary
Category
Post-doctoral Positions and Fellowships
Institution
National Research Council of Canada
Department
Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre
Number of Positions Available
1
Duration
2 Years
Work Arrangement
Hybrid
In-Person Location(s)
Victoria BC
Canada
Job Description
Project Title
Deploying the NRC CAL2 System at the Canadian Gemini North Observatory, Performing Frontier Exoplanet Science with the World’s First Facility-class Focal Plane Wavefront Sensor
The Program
The NRC’s Postdoctoral Fellowship program offers PDFs access to unique world-class facilities and the opportunity to work alongside multi-disciplinary teams of expert researchers and technicians on projects of critical importance to Canada. PDFs will carry out research on innovative research projects, with opportunities for career development (publications and/or industry interaction).
PDFs will be offered appointments to the staff of the National Research Council on a term basis and will be offered salaries and benefits currently available to Research Officers. Salaries commensurate with experience are taxable and subject to other deductions. As a guide, the current annual PhD recruiting rate is $82,338. In addition, PDFs will be allocated a travel fund to support their work.
The Role
Directly imaging exoplanets is a significant challenge, as faint planets are often obscured by their bright host stars. Since 2019, the NRC NEW EARTH laboratory team has developed advanced star-blocking coronagraph masks to rapidly measure and correct optical aberrations directly in the instrument science focal plane, aiming to significantly enhance the detection and characterization of exoplanets.
In 2024/2025, NRC will deploy its first facility-class focal plane wavefront sensor, CAL2 (CALibration unit 2), in the Gemini Planet Imager instrument at the Gemini North Observatory. The NRC PDF will lead the testing and optimization of CAL2 for on-sky operations, and then collaborate with the GPI2 science team on groundbreaking discoveries. CAL2 aims to increase sensitivity limits by up to 100 times, significantly improving our ability to detect closer- in and lower-mass exoplanets. This PDF position offers an exciting opportunity for a young researcher to take a leadership role in enabling a new era of exoplanet science.
Compensation and Benefits
Currency
342
Compensation Range
$82,338USD to $114,354USD
Included Benefits
NRC employees enjoy a wide range of competitive benefits, including comprehensive health and dental plans, pension and insurance plans, vacation and other leave entitlements and paid parental leave.
Compensation Notes
We aim to fill these postdoctoral fellowships through NRC's Research Associate Program which is an early-career category at NRC. The salary for this category ranges from $82,338 to $114,354 (CAD).
NOTE: Salary determination will be based on a review of the candidate’s expertise, outcomes, and impacts of their previous work experience relative to the requirements of the level.
Application Details
Application Instructions
Who is eligible?
• Fellowships will be for two years contingent on satisfactory progress achieved during the first year.
• Candidates should have obtained a PhD (or equivalent) within the past three years (PhD received on or after July 1, 2022*) or expect to complete their PhD within 6 months of appointment.
• Fellows will work in a lab under the direct supervision of an NRC researcher.
* Exceptions may be considered to recognize personal or family related leave. Please connect with us using the contact information below to discuss in more detail.
Application Requirements
In order to be considered for the program please include the following in your application, please note that you will need to attach the required documents as per the list below when submitting your application. Failure to do so will result in your application being excluded from searches.
• Resume
• Statement of Interest in the project (maximum one page in length)
• PhD Transcript - an electronic copy is sufficient, it does not have to be an official version.
• List of Publications
When submitting your application you can include the required documents in any attachment field such as «Second language evaluation results» or «Other attachments»
In addition, applicants who best meet the requirements of the position will be asked to provide three letters of recommendation at a later stage of the competition process.
• Fellowships will be for two years contingent on satisfactory progress achieved during the first year.
• Candidates should have obtained a PhD (or equivalent) within the past three years (PhD received on or after July 1, 2022*) or expect to complete their PhD within 6 months of appointment.
• Fellows will work in a lab under the direct supervision of an NRC researcher.
* Exceptions may be considered to recognize personal or family related leave. Please connect with us using the contact information below to discuss in more detail.
Application Requirements
In order to be considered for the program please include the following in your application, please note that you will need to attach the required documents as per the list below when submitting your application. Failure to do so will result in your application being excluded from searches.
• Resume
• Statement of Interest in the project (maximum one page in length)
• PhD Transcript - an electronic copy is sufficient, it does not have to be an official version.
• List of Publications
When submitting your application you can include the required documents in any attachment field such as «Second language evaluation results» or «Other attachments»
In addition, applicants who best meet the requirements of the position will be asked to provide three letters of recommendation at a later stage of the competition process.
Link to Online Application
Publication Start Date
2024 Nov 07
Application Deadline
2024 Dec 18
Reference Code
23055